I LOVE ROCK N' ROLL

Savvy – I Love Rock ‘n’ RollIn the 70’s a young spit fire named Joan Marie Larkin, better known now as Joan Jett, burst onto the rock n’ roll scene. She was an edgy teenager with a raggedy haircut and a point to prove. “I grew up in a world that told girls they couldn’t play rock and roll.” Dressed in all black Joan was ready to prove the world wrong; and she did. Since then Joan Jett has been an inspiration to young women everywhere. She started out in an all girl’s rock group called The Runaways who are known for their songs “Cherry Bomb,” “Born to Be Bad,” and “You Drive Me Wild.” After touring the world for several years The Runaways broke up in 1979.Jett became one of the first female recording artist to form her own label in 1980 called Blackheart Records. “Other people will call me a rebel, but I feel like I’m just living my life and doing what I want to do. Some people call that rebellion; especially when you’re a woman.” While Joan Jett did live a rather reckless lifestyle I believe it’s important for young women to see someone from a more strict generation breaking boundaries even today.Among dozens of accomplishments she is the lead singer of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts have released many successful singles including, but not limited to: “Bad Reputation,” “Do You Want to Touch,” “I Hate Myself For Loving You,” “Crimson and Clover,” and the world famous “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Joan Jett and The Blackhearts was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.I’ve been a fan of Joan Jett since I was a sophomore in high school. Her kick-ass attitude and feministic approaches towards life have always been a motivating factor for me to be who I want to be. The number one item on my bucket list has always been to see her perform live. Thanks to my dad I got to take that opportunity to the next level. I was able to meet Joan Jett in person and I can honestly say I have never been more honored. At the young age of 57 Joan Jett kept up with her band and gave a performance that brought me to my knees. She’s as rock ‘n’ roll as ever and just as much an inspiration as the first time I heard “Bad Reputation.” Jett has been dubbed “the queen of rock ‘n’ roll” and “the godmother of punk.”She is an avid activist for the LGBTQ+ community and has been a role model for young women since she began breaking stereotypes over forty years ago and hasn’t stopped since. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts performed in Raleigh on the 14th and the band had a very important statement to be made before hand. The band had transgender advocate, Candis Cox, say a few words about the HB2 bill. After introducing herself Cox said, “We’ve been in the news a little bit lately, and it’s not because of our amazing basketball and football teams. It’s not because of our concert venues…It’s because of the bathroom bill.”Cox continued to explain that she had a discussion with Jett and the band expressing their concern over keeping their show dates in the state of North Carolina. As you may or may not know, the HB2 bill has cost North Carolina many big opportunities. (You can read more about this on page 6) Luckily for myself and the hundreds of fans in the triad, the band decided to come anyway. It’s important to show Pat McCrory and the North Carolina state government that this bill is affecting our economy but they also need to know that it won’t stop us from fighting it. I’m glad that there are artists willing to come to North Carolina and make a statement but I also stand behind those boycotting us because of the bill. This is a highly controversial topic that we will continue to see in the news and social media. This fight isn’t over and until it is activists like Joan Jett will not take this sitting down.